Finis

Finis is a first-person puzzle game set in a sci-fi/futuristic universe, where players navigate through psychedelic multiverses filled with intricate challenges. Developed by k148 Game Studio and published by JanduSoft S.L., the game offers a surreal and immersive experience, blending mind-bending visuals with thought-provoking puzzles. Released in 2023 across multiple platforms, including Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox, Finis invites players to explore its enigmatic world and unravel its mysteries.

Finis: A Psychedelic Journey Through the Multiverse of the Mind

Introduction

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of video games, few titles dare to venture into the uncharted territories of the human psyche. Finis, developed by the solitary yet ambitious K148 Game Studio and published by JanduSoft, is one such title. Released on October 26, 2023, across multiple platforms including Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S, Finis is not just a game—it’s an introspective journey, a psychological evaluation wrapped in the guise of a puzzle adventure. At its core, Finis leverages the controversial yet fascinating Lüscher color test, a psychological assessment developed in the 1940s by Swiss psychologist Max Lüscher, which purports to reveal aspects of one’s emotional and psychological state based on color preferences.

Finis is a game that asks more questions than it answers. It challenges players to confront their own perceptions, preferences, and perhaps even their subconscious biases. With its promise of 21 distinct multiverses, each tailored to the player’s color choices, and eight different paths that lead to unique endings, Finis positions itself as a groundbreaking experiment in interactive psychology. But does it succeed in delivering a meaningful and engaging experience, or does it falter under the weight of its own ambition? This review will delve deep into the game’s development history, narrative and thematic elements, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its reception and legacy, to provide a comprehensive analysis of Finis and its place in the pantheon of video game history.

Development History & Context

The Studio and the Vision

K148 Game Studio, the brainchild behind Finis, is a small, independent development team that has taken on the monumental task of blending psychology with interactive entertainment. The studio’s vision for Finis was clear from the outset: to create a game that transcends traditional gameplay mechanics and delves into the realm of self-discovery. The Lüscher color test, with its roots in mid-20th-century psychology, provided the perfect foundation for this ambitious project. By integrating this test into a video game format, K148 Game Studio aimed to offer players not just a game, but a mirror reflecting their innermost thoughts and emotions.

Technological Constraints and Innovations

Developed using Unreal Engine 4, Finis benefits from the engine’s robust capabilities, allowing for the creation of visually stunning and diverse multiverses. However, the game’s scope and ambition also presented significant challenges. The need to create 21 distinct multiverses, each with its own unique visual style and narrative elements, required a careful balance between creativity and technical feasibility. The result is a game that, while visually impressive, occasionally suffers from technical glitches and unpolished graphics, as noted by several reviewers.

The Gaming Landscape at Release

Finis entered a gaming market saturated with traditional puzzle and adventure games. Its release in late 2023 placed it alongside other innovative titles that sought to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. However, Finis stood out due to its unique psychological focus. The game’s premise of using color preferences to tailor the player’s experience was a novel approach that garnered attention from both critics and players alike. Yet, the game’s reception was mixed, with some praising its innovative concept and others criticizing its execution.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The Lüscher Color Test: A Psychological Foundation

At the heart of Finis lies the Lüscher color test, a psychological assessment that uses color preferences to reveal aspects of an individual’s emotional and psychological state. The test, developed by Max Lüscher, is based on the idea that color preferences are not arbitrary but are instead deeply connected to our subconscious minds. Finis takes this concept and transforms it into an interactive experience, where players select colors that correspond to different emotional states and personality traits. These choices determine the path they embark on in the game, leading to one of 21 distinct multiverses.

The Multiverses: A Journey Through the Mind

Each of the 21 multiverses in Finis offers a unique experience, ranging from serene and calming environments to chaotic and destructive landscapes. The game’s narrative is not linear but rather a series of interconnected vignettes, each reflecting a different facet of the player’s psyche. The multiverses are designed to be visually and thematically diverse, with settings that include futuristic cityscapes, dystopian wastelands, and surreal dreamscapes. However, the lack of a cohesive narrative thread can make the experience feel disjointed and confusing at times.

Themes of Self-Discovery and Perception

Finis explores themes of self-discovery, perception, and the malleability of reality. The game challenges players to question their own choices and the motivations behind them. Are the colors they select truly reflective of their inner selves, or are they influenced by external factors? The game’s narrative encourages introspection, urging players to confront their own biases and preconceptions. However, the lack of depth in the storytelling can make these themes feel underdeveloped and superficial.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

The Core Gameplay Loop

The core gameplay loop of Finis revolves around the selection of colors and the subsequent exploration of the multiverses. Players begin by choosing one of eight colors, each representing a different emotional state or personality trait. This choice determines the initial path they will take, leading them to one of the 21 multiverses. Within each multiverse, players are presented with a series of puzzles that must be solved to progress. These puzzles vary widely in their design and complexity, ranging from simple logic puzzles to more intricate challenges that require careful observation and deduction.

Combat and Character Progression

Finis is not a traditional action game, and as such, it does not feature combat mechanics or character progression in the conventional sense. Instead, the game focuses on puzzle-solving and exploration. The lack of combat and progression systems may be a drawback for players accustomed to more action-oriented games, but it aligns with the game’s introspective and psychological focus.

UI and Controls

The user interface and controls in Finis are minimalistic and intuitive, designed to keep the focus on the game’s visual and narrative elements. However, the lack of clear instructions and guidance can make the controls feel confusing and unintuitive, particularly for new players. The game’s interface is clean and uncluttered, but it could benefit from more detailed tutorials and explanations to help players navigate the multiverses more effectively.

Innovative and Flawed Systems

One of the most innovative aspects of Finis is its use of the Lüscher color test to tailor the player’s experience. This system allows for a high degree of personalization, with each player’s journey through the multiverses being unique based on their color choices. However, the game’s reliance on this system also highlights its flaws. The lack of a cohesive narrative and the arbitrary nature of the puzzles can make the experience feel disjointed and unsatisfying. Additionally, the game’s technical issues, such as graphical glitches and unpolished visuals, detract from the overall experience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The Multiverses: A Visual Feast

The visual design of Finis is one of its strongest aspects. Each of the 21 multiverses is meticulously crafted, with distinct art styles and themes that reflect the emotional and psychological states associated with the player’s color choices. From the lush, vibrant landscapes of the “calm” multiverses to the stark, desolate environments of the “destruction” multiverses, the game’s visuals are a testament to the creativity and ambition of the development team. However, the game’s technical limitations are also evident, with occasional graphical glitches and unpolished textures detracting from the overall visual experience.

The Sound of the Mind

The sound design in Finis is atmospheric and immersive, with a soundtrack that complements the game’s visual and narrative elements. The music is calming and introspective, designed to enhance the player’s sense of immersion and introspection. The sound effects are subtle and understated, allowing the player to focus on the game’s visual and narrative elements without distraction. However, the lack of voice acting and dialogue can make the game feel somewhat sterile and impersonal.

The Atmosphere of Introspection

The atmosphere of Finis is one of introspection and self-discovery. The game’s visual and sound design work together to create a sense of immersion and introspection, urging players to confront their own thoughts and emotions. The multiverses are designed to be visually and thematically diverse, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the human psyche. However, the lack of a cohesive narrative and the arbitrary nature of the puzzles can make the experience feel disjointed and unsatisfying.

Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

The critical reception of Finis has been mixed. While some critics have praised the game’s innovative concept and unique approach to interactive storytelling, others have criticized its execution and technical issues. The game’s use of the Lüscher color test has been particularly divisive, with some critics praising its psychological depth and others dismissing it as a gimmick. The lack of a cohesive narrative and the arbitrary nature of the puzzles have also been points of contention, with some critics arguing that the game’s ambition outweighs its actual fulfillment.

Commercial Reception

The commercial reception of Finis has been similarly mixed. The game’s unique premise and innovative approach to interactive storytelling have garnered attention from players, but its technical issues and lack of a cohesive narrative have limited its appeal. The game’s price point has also been a point of contention, with some players arguing that the game’s short playtime and lack of replayability do not justify its cost.

Legacy and Influence

Despite its mixed reception, Finis has the potential to leave a lasting legacy in the world of video games. Its innovative use of the Lüscher color test and its focus on introspective and psychological gameplay have set a precedent for future games that seek to explore the complexities of the human mind. While Finis may not have fully realized its ambitions, it has paved the way for future games to build upon its ideas and concepts, creating a new genre of introspective and psychological gaming experiences.

Conclusion

Finis is a game that dares to be different. It is an ambitious and innovative experiment in interactive psychology, blending the Lüscher color test with traditional puzzle and adventure gameplay. The game’s visual design is stunning, with each of the 21 multiverses offering a unique and immersive experience. The sound design is atmospheric and introspective, enhancing the player’s sense of immersion and introspection. However, the game’s execution is flawed, with a lack of a cohesive narrative, arbitrary puzzles, and technical issues detracting from the overall experience.

Despite its flaws, Finis is a commendable and unique endeavor that pushes the boundaries of interactive storytelling. It is a game that challenges players to confront their own perceptions and biases, urging them to question their own choices and motivations. While it may not be a perfect game, it is a thought-provoking and introspective experience that is well worth a try for those interested in exploring the complexities of the human mind.

In the end, Finis is a game that offers irregularity over polish, novelty over comfort, and experimentation over predictability. It is a game that rewards open-minded gamers willing to connect its disconnected pieces into a subjective whole. For those with a high tolerance for strangeness and imperfection, Finis may prove to be a rewarding and enlightening experience. For others, it may be a frustrating and confusing journey through the multiverse of the mind. Regardless of its reception, Finis is a game that deserves to be remembered for its ambition and innovation, and for its daring attempt to blend psychology with interactive entertainment.